Halloween at 3

Our first stop...Matt's house...

He bought special treats for his little sister...she was thrilled.

After we left Matt's house, we went to Coeur d'Alene High School to watch a final girls volleyball game. We watched four this weekend. They were so exciting! St Maries Lumber Jacks, which is why we were there, won state. All our friends from St Maries were up as well. It was a great time!

Halloween and Trick-or-Treating was espeically fun this year with Taylor. As we walked up to each house, Taylor would say, "This is a beautiful house." When we would leave she would say, "Come on...lets go trick-or-treating again." At each house, Taylor confidently knocked on the door and proudly stood with her two little hands tightly grasping the handle of her pumpkin candy bucket. She held it high and waited patiently...

She would say, "Now remember, when the door opens, say trick-or-treat." She would say trick-or-treat and wish the people Happy Halloween and say thank you.

One of our neighbor's said to Taylor, "Oh, little bee, you scared me. Don't sting me." As we were walking away Taylor said, "I'm not scary. I'm a nice bee. I wouldn't sting. I'm not just any old bumble bee."

At another house, as the door opened, a scary face on the door started making noises, as the eyes glowed red. Taylor could hardly say trick-or-treat as she watched the face. The friendly lady that opened the door said, "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Taylor said, "That's okay." And thanked her for the candy. As we were leaving Taylor talked about the scary face and made her own scary Halloween noises. She is pretty brave and likes some of the scary monsters and witches we have seen around town this season.

It was a little chilly outside. Taylor walked most of the way, but after awhile she asked her daddy to carry her and she said, "Okay, lets go home now and I can dump out all my candy." She was very content and we all had a wonderful Halloween.

Preparing for Halloween 2009

Taylor and I got a pumpkin. She was very excited for us to carve it. However, when it came time to gut it, this is as close as she got. I don't remember the last time I did something like this. It was pretty hard getting all the goo out. Taylor sat close by watching and thought the pumpkin smelled good, but she was not interested in getting gooey...

I must say I am so very proud of my pumpkin....

Taylor picked out the design. I have never done this before, so there will be several pictures...

I have also been working on a Bumble Bee costume for Taylor which has been a lot of fun as well. I made the skirt, the wings, and crocheted her the little hat.

Here are some preview shots. I am still trying to decide if I need to make some adjustments. I just love to dress her up!

Krispy Kreme

When it is to cold and wet to go to the park, we need to find creative ways to spend our days. Therefore, Taylor and I took a little "field trip" to Krispy Kreme. There is a large window where we can watch them make doughnuts. Unfortunately, the big machine was not in motion, making doughnuts when we arrived. However, the doughnuts were still just as good...

After Taylor had a little yummy doughnut, we went over to Mothers' Haven where grandma was catering a party with cousin Jade. Taylor had a lot of fun eating crackers and garlic and playing with Jade. I had the pleasure of tasting a little wine. It was a wonderful party!

After we returned home, Jade contacted me to let me know I won the drawing for the wine gift basket. I'm so excited to get my call from Enoteca to receive my prize!

Another Pumpkin Farm

Taylor and I met our play group friends at a local farm. They have horses, goats, chickens, pigs, geese, bunnies, and pumpkins. Oh yes, and Taylor is wearing a new hat, made with love by her mommy.

Jan bought food to feed the animals (as provided by the lady farmer) so the children could feed some of the animals.

Due to some freezing, the pumpkins were not too good by the time we were able to visit the farm.

There was even a dog, a Taylor favorite, to feed a doggy biscuit. It was a little cool and damp, but isn't that just all part of the fun Fall experience?? Maybe I just love a picture with a pumpkin in the background...

An Afternoon with Great Grandma Peak

Taylor and I went to visit my grandma to work on a quilt one afternoon. This is my first experience with any quilting projects. On this day, we just used the wheel to cut the fabric. Now I have some sewing to do. Taylor is playing on the spinning foot stool that me and all my cousins played on when we were little.

Taylor was such a good girl at my grandma's house. She knows where all the toys are and always wants the same food to eat. On this day it was string cheese.

On our way out to the car, Taylor loves to run up and down the "bridge" a few times. We always have a nice visit at Great Grandma Peak's.

Green Bluff

I always look forward to a trip to Green Bluff in the fall. The pumpkins, apples, cute stores with all the unique goodies, the cider, and the wine. There are a few places to taste wine, which is my favorite. Taylor was impressed with the BIG pumpkins, but just wanted the tiny, "baby" pumpkins.

I have a picture of Taylor in this same pumpkin patch when she was one year old, but this time she would not slow down, or even turn around, so I could see her happy face for a picture. She was too busy finding her way through the maze...

While Taylor and I ran over to look at all the pumpkins in this field, we missed a pumpkin being shot in one of those very large pumpkin guns. Ben saw it, we missed it. I always try to get pictures, but it's hard to make sure everyone is looking. Especially when Ben is saying, "I think you have taken enough pictures already."

My princess in her carriage...

At this particular farm, we saw some very unique pumpkins...

You can see Taylor carrying the pumpkin she wanted...

I love the fall colors and to see all the farms too...

Chestnuts for Spiders

I took Taylor to the park to get some chestnuts. I was told they help keep spiders away. I also researched this on-line as well. Some say it's a myth and others confirm it works. Chestnuts are pleasant enough, so I decided we would put some around our doors to test the theory. We had done some yard work this past weekend and I'm sure I upset a few spiders. With the colder weather, I don't want them looking to come inside. While we were at the park, Taylor played a little too. I wanted to walk over by the lake. As we were walking, we were suddenly in the middle of, I'm sure, millions of little flying gnats. It was HORRIBLE! Taylor started crying because she got one in her eye. I was trying to get away from them, but they were everywhere. Yes, everywhere! I got the bug out of her eye, just in time to get one in my eye. So gross! Now, Taylor is holding my hand while covering her face and eyes with her other arm. I'm trying to lead us away from the bugs. We were covered in them. I was wearing a white jacket, so I know. We stopped for a second so I could get some off her face and she tried to hug me. I said, "Taylor, no...they will squish." And, a few did. So, we continued walking. When I got to the car I shook off our coats and got them all off of Taylor. I put her in the car, and still traumatized, she asked, "Are they in our car?" I assured her they were not. I tried to make sure they were all off of me before I got in the car. As we were getting ready to drive away, we saw another mom pushing a stroller with a small child. Taylor said, "Oh no, mommy, look! The baby is going to get bugs in her eyes."

Look Mom...choking hazards

Ben was concerned about Taylor playing with these little bouncy balls she got from her dentist office. I let Taylor play with them as long as she is careful and doesn't put them in her mouth. She really never puts things in her mouth anyway. She was feeding them to her alligator and she said to me, "look mom, I have choking hazards."

Silverwood on a cold Fall Day..."Scarywood"

It was a very bright and beautiful fall day, but I don't think it ever got above 40 degrees. Silverwood had a "scary" makeover. Along with all the great pumpkins, corn stalks and hay bales, they did have large spiders and webs...as well as a few bats here and there. We bundled up and had a good time...

Taylor liked all the decorations...

Some kids were dressed up in costumes, like Garfield below. We were just dressed warm...

My cousin Lorinda and her girls, Anissa and Makenna met us there too...

They had an area set up for trick-or-treating. The girls were very excited to get treats. Taylor loved the tootsie rolls.

I love how Taylor is flying in the airplane with her hands covering her ears. She thought it made too loud of a noise when it stopped. This is her being prepared for that moment...

The carousal...always a favorite...

We had a lot of fun this past season at Silverwood, and it was fun to see it's fall transformation.

It was a fun day!

An Evening Out

We went out one evening to Lake City Community Church to support our cousin Sharah. Daddy was away on a short hunting trip. It was a wonderful evening, and great to see so much family. I had so much fun getting Taylor dressed in her tights and boots and wanted to get a picture. As I'm begging for a smile, I get this...

She does think she is so funny, I'm sure...not giving me the smile I want so desperately. Silly girl! She did have a wonderful time in her little class. When we got home she said, "I thank God for my mommy." She makes me so proud!